Description
This easy recipe creates fragrant cinnamon ornaments, perfect for adding a cozy, festive aroma to your home during the holidays. Made from simple pantry staples, these decorations are a charming craft and can also be cherished keepsakes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 100g (0.5 cup) ground cinnamon
- 5g (1 teaspoon) ground green cardamom (or a pinch of ground ginger)
- 1g (0.25 teaspoon) fine sea salt
- 240g (1 cup) unsweetened applesauce (or pear sauce)
- 30ml (2 tablespoons) alcohol-free orange blossom water
- 120g (1 cup) powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 15ml (1 tablespoon) alcohol-free orange blossom water (for glaze)
- 15–30ml (1-2 tablespoons) filtered water (for glaze, as needed)
- 15g (2 tablespoons) finely ground pistachios (for glaze)
- 10g (1.5 tablespoons) finely chopped pistachios (for garnish)
- 1g (1 teaspoon) edible dried rose petals (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground green cardamom, and fine sea salt until thoroughly combined and fragrant.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, mix the unsweetened applesauce and 30ml (2 tablespoons) of alcohol-free orange blossom water until well combined and smooth.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry, mixing with a sturdy spoon or your hands until a stiff, uniform, pliable dough forms (not sticky). Adjust with applesauce or flour if needed.
- Roll and Cut Shapes: Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll one half to 6mm (0.25 inch) thickness. Use cookie cutters to create desired ornament shapes with clean edges.
- Prep for Drying: Transfer cut ornaments to parchment-lined baking sheets. If hanging, use a skewer or toothpick to make a small hole near the top of each ornament.
- Dry the Ornaments: Preheat oven to 120C (250F). Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, until firm and completely dry, with no soft spots. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Pistachio Drizzle: While ornaments cool, whisk powdered sugar, 15ml (1 tablespoon) orange blossom water, and 15g (2 tablespoons) finely ground pistachios in a small bowl. Add filtered water gradually (5ml or 1 teaspoon at a time) until smooth, pourable, and opaque.
- Decorate and Garnish: Once ornaments are cool, drizzle the glaze in a decorative pattern using a piping bag or spoon. Immediately sprinkle with finely chopped pistachios and edible dried rose petals before the glaze sets.
Notes
Ensure ground cinnamon is fresh for the strongest fragrance. If making holes for hanging, ensure they go all the way through. The ornaments are dried, not significantly baked, to retain color and aroma.
- Prep Time: 75 minutes
- Cook Time: 105 minutes
- Category: Craft
- Method: Baking (low temperature drying)
- Cuisine: General
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ornament (approx 30g)
- Calories: 0 calories
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: easy recipe, cinnamon, ornaments, holiday craft, homemade gifts, aromatic decorations, festive, applesauce, pistachios, rose petals